Delhi Metro first rail-network to go completely solar by 2021
What's the story
The Delhi Metro is hopeful to go completely solar in all its operations by the year 2021.
This will make the rail network world's first to run 100% on clean energy.
On April 18, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) started its first complete support operation on solar energy on the Violet Line, from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station to Central Secretariat station.
Power
DMRC receiving 27MW power from Rewa Solar Power Project
Currently, DMRC receives 27MW, which will eventually be increased to 99MW, of solar power from Madhya Pradesh's Rewa Solar Power Project. It is set to serve one-third of its energy requirement.
Meanwhile, DMRC also generates 28MW solar power from several solar plants set-up on the rooftops, which help in providing power to lights and air conditioning inside metro premises.
Quote
DMRC's MD marks beginning of new arrangement with other officials
According to DMRC, "To mark the beginning of this new arrangement, DMRC's Managing Director, Dr. Mangu Singh traveled in a Metro powered by solar energy along with Manu Srivastava, Chairperson, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Upendra Tripathi, Director General, International Solar Alliance and other senior officials."
Effects
The move will save carbon footprints and reduce carbon waste
Further, DMRC officials said, "On average, DMRC would be given 345 million units (MU) of power from Rewa every year. We are likely to start receiving 99MW solar energy from the 750MW park in Rewa from May 2019."
In the coming years, this move by the DMRC will be saving up on millions of carbon footprints and tons of carbon waste.
Deal
'Renewable energy has seen a growth of over 370%'
The signing of the agreement between DMRC and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited was chaired by Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of State for Power and Coal.
Goyal said, "During PM Narendra Modi's leadership and with cooperation of chief ministers of various states in the last three years, renewable energy has seen a growth of over 370%."
Urgency
The shift from fuel to non-polluting energy source urgent
He further added, "As compared to 2,600MW of installed solar power capacity in 2014, today, there is a total of 12,200MW of installed solar power capacity."
Most importantly, it is the need of the hour to shift to a non-polluting energy source as the burning of fuels like petrol and diesel cause irreversible damage to the environment triggering climate change.